KCU Closing In On The End Of It's First Year

The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences is welcoming it's second batch of students as it's second year of teaching future doctors is growing closer.There was an abundance of buzz when KCU opened it's doors last summer, but, now, unless you're a med student yourself, you may not know what's been going on inside these walls.For example, this first year, the school is operating "half full" - with about 150 students walking these halls including...Courtney McClure .Courtney McClure, First Year Med Student: "Since we were the first class here, I think our class grew really close because we didn't have anyone else to ask questions to, and we also had the opportunity to get really close to our professors because they were kinda our go-to people, so i think that was a unique opportunity."A new class of first year students is touring the schools learning their way around from those who truly went here first and from professors.

Dr. Monica Kinde, Asst. Professor Biochemistry: "There's a little bit of a turf war, you know, having to share their space but they're so excited about the opportunity to really kinda go into that mentor role and act as student advisers to this new crop of medical students."McClure says even though this initial class hasn't filled the halls to capacity, the school, is never quiet.McClure: "It's very collaborative and there's people always studying but then there's always people as a study break to go talk to and I don't think I've ever seen the school empty, I'd say at least 20% of us are here all the time."For McClure, the biggest part of being at KCU this first year, has been becoming close to her new home away from home.McClure: "The community's been really receptive to us being here so we've been able to volunteer and get involved with the community so I think that's been really important to say 'yes we're a medical school but we also want to be involved in the Joplin community.'" KCU officials tell us each year they receive around 6,000 applications and only a few hundred make the cut.

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A Joplin native, Chris first started in broadcasting at age 16 at KSNF-TV in 2004..

Chris joined the KOAM team in 2017 as an Associate Producer. In April, he moved into a full-time reporter position. He spent time from 2008 to 2016 in various retail roles around the region before returning to his passion at KOAM. Chris is excited to continue telling the stories of the four states.
Chris and his wife Amber live in Joplin and have three amazing children.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - a motorcycle driver is 40% *more* likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than a truck driver in the same accident. CFI partners with the Joplin Harley Riders Group to bring that safety message to bikers. If a trucker looks in their rear view mirror, odds are, they aren't going to see a motorcycle in the "no-zone."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - a motorcycle driver is 40% *more* likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than a truck driver in the same accident. CFI partners with the Joplin Harley Riders Group to bring that safety message to bikers. If a trucker looks in their rear view mirror, odds are, they aren't going to see a motorcycle in the "no-zone."

Stories coming in from that fire in Montgomery County - one homeowner and his wife tried to extinguish the flames on their own as they spread toward their home. Dan Russow, homeowner: "There was no way we could have got it under control even in our short grass, it was just burning so quick." Dan Russow recalls the flames rolling up this hill, directly in front of his home in rural Montgomery County.

Stories coming in from that fire in Montgomery County - one homeowner and his wife tried to extinguish the flames on their own as they spread toward their home. Dan Russow, homeowner: "There was no way we could have got it under control even in our short grass, it was just burning so quick." Dan Russow recalls the flames rolling up this hill, directly in front of his home in rural Montgomery County.

An investigation is underway in Southeast Kansas involving numerous grass fires. Officials in Montgomery County say they were *intentionally* set. Sergeant Michael Grimes, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office : "At this point we do believe they were intentionally set, they will be further investigated by our office and the Labette County Sheriff's Office in a joint collaboration."

An investigation is underway in Southeast Kansas involving numerous grass fires. Officials in Montgomery County say they were *intentionally* set. Sergeant Michael Grimes, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office : "At this point we do believe they were intentionally set, they will be further investigated by our office and the Labette County Sheriff's Office in a joint collaboration."

If you live in Carl Junction...you've most likely heard about "Question 2". It'll be on the April 3rd ballot. That's when voters will decide whether to approve a $4.8 million dollar bond issue to build and equip a new sports complex. Right now in Carl Junction, if you want to play ball, your top choice, is here, at the Frank Dean Complex on Park Lane.

If you live in Carl Junction...you've most likely heard about "Question 2". It'll be on the April 3rd ballot. That's when voters will decide whether to approve a $4.8 million dollar bond issue to build and equip a new sports complex. Right now in Carl Junction, if you want to play ball, your top choice, is here, at the Frank Dean Complex on Park Lane.

City commissioners in Pittsburg received an update today on the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 plan. It's aimed at growing the community and bringing in more jobs. Joe Dellasega Couldn't contain his enthusiasm while presenting a few updates on the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 plan. And with good reason - officials saying $300 million in construction projects, both new businesses and additions to existing facilities, bringing in around 1,000 new...More >>

City commissioners in Pittsburg received an update today on the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 plan. It's aimed at growing the community and bringing in more jobs. Joe Dellasega Couldn't contain his enthusiasm while presenting a few updates on the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 plan. And with good reason - officials saying $300 million in construction projects, both new businesses and additions to existing facilities, bringing in around 1,000 new...More >>

The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences is welcoming it's second batch of students as it's second year of teaching future doctors is growing closer. There was an abundance of buzz when KCU opened it's doors last summer, but, now, unless you're a med student yourself, you may not know what's been going on inside these walls.

The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences is welcoming it's second batch of students as it's second year of teaching future doctors is growing closer. There was an abundance of buzz when KCU opened it's doors last summer, but, now, unless you're a med student yourself, you may not know what's been going on inside these walls.

Teachers across Oklahoma could *walk-out* next month if their pay demands aren't met. It's something no school district ever wants to happen. Kaci Hoffer, 3rd Generation Miami Teacher: "The goal is not to have a walkout, our goal is for legislatures to pass a bill that will provide education with the funds that they need."

Teachers across Oklahoma could *walk-out* next month if their pay demands aren't met.It's something no school district ever wants to happen.Kaci Hoffer, 3rd Generation Miami Teacher: "The goal is not to have a walkout, our goal is for legislatures to pass a bill that will provide education with the funds that they need."

Some may consider this type of crossing "unmarked." But officials with Kansas City Southern Railways say just because there's not a warning bell and lights, doesn't mean there's other warning signs. This intersection isn't busy - but the highway is. Chief Joe Perkins, Carl Junction Fire Protection District: "A lot of traffic going down 171, so you have a tendency to be mindful of the truck and car traffic and then you almost, the train tracks are almost like white noise...More >>

Some may consider this type of crossing "unmarked." But officials with Kansas City Southern Railways say just because there's not a warning bell and lights, doesn't mean there's other warning signs. This intersection isn't busy - but the highway is. Chief Joe Perkins, Carl Junction Fire Protection District: "A lot of traffic going down 171, so you have a tendency to be mindful of the truck and car traffic and then you almost, the train tracks are almost like white noise...More >>

The Joplin Police Department has released its 2017 performance report. The numbers sound hard. Captain Trevor Duncan, Joplin Police Department: "Homicide was, went up from 2 to 3, which equals a 100% increase, and then we also saw sexual assault and assaults take a significant increase." But, they can be deceiving that one extra homicide -- a 100% increase.

The Joplin Police Department has released its 2017 performance report. The numbers sound hard. Captain Trevor Duncan, Joplin Police Department: "Homicide was, went up from 2 to 3, which equals a 100% increase, and then we also saw sexual assault and assaults take a significant increase." But, they can be deceiving that one extra homicide -- a 100% increase.

The City of Joplin is joining a number of other communities across the country in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. Ashley Micklethwaite has been fighting the opioid epidemic for months - working hard to provide resources to those in need. Now, the city of Joplin is joining a lawsuit against those companies that manufacture the very opioids she's been fighting.

The City of Joplin is joining a number of other communities across the country in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. Ashley Micklethwaite has been fighting the opioid epidemic for months - working hard to provide resources to those in need. Now, the city of Joplin is joining a lawsuit against those companies that manufacture the very opioids she's been fighting.